Jimmy Morrow is always the first person on the campus of Hallandale Adult Community Center, walking the perimeter at 6:30 a.m. and greeting students an hour later.

But a "good morning" from Morrow, the facilities coordinator, is more than just a salutation. It's an assessment of a student's mood.

He allows students who respond happily to proceed to class. Answer with attitude and remain at the entrance.

"I do will do everything I can before I let them pass me to put a smile on their face," says Morrow, 57, of Coral Springs.

Hallandale Adult includes a middle and high school for students who have struggled everywhere else. Many are two years overage for their grade. Some are chronically truant. Others are juvenile offenders. Most have significant learning issues.

Most of the school's 580 students come from homes that are below the federal poverty level. Morrow learns stories, knows their names and remembers birthdays.

"They're not always responsive, but after winter break there's a whole change in demeanor," said Principal Linda Lopez. "And that really helps them with their social skills. They're a little rough around the edges."

Hired 23 years ago to fix busted light bulbs and air conditioners, Morrow quickly demonstrated the ability to repair students' sense-of-self during 12-hour days for about $50,000 annually.

Many work after school to help pay family bills but move constantly because their parents or guardians can't pay the rent.

"This is not the old days of Leave It to Beaver and everything is just fine and everybody goes and sleeps in their own bed each night and gets up and has a nice breakfast in the morning and mommy and daddy drives them to school each morning," he said.